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Another interesting device has been added to the Microsoft Lync Qualified Devices list: The Plantronics Calisto 620M bluetooth speakerphone. This device will work in an office environment where you want the speakerphone to be where a cable won’t reach nicely or especially as a part of your portable equipment suite.

Here is the video review:

This device comes in a Microsoft edition and an edition for everyone else: Plantronics Calisto 620M and Plantronics Calisto 620.

Below is what comes with the Calisto 620: Manuals, Cover, Wall outlet charging cord and the Calisto 620 and bluetooth dongle.

Below is the Calisto 620 with all the buttons lit during startup.

For portable scenarios, the Bluetooth dongle stows nicely on the bottom of the unit. As in common in many newer devices, the battery seems to be not readily removed/replaced.

During normal powered on state, the 620 will have no LED’s lit. Just press any button to see if the unit is powered on.

The 620 with the Bluetooth dongle plugged into laptop.

The 620 will have the Charging LED’s light when plugged in. There is no battery charge level indication on the device. (as a matter of fact the Plantronics Spokes tray software didn’t show the level either from my tests)

I was surprised that the tray software (Plantronics Spokes software) did not show battery level (but perhaps I’m missing something?) Where I expect the battery level is just said---BATTERY LEVEL!

The icon changes when the device is charging…

The device is VERY easy to setup, just slide the power switch to the middle position, plug the USB dongle into your PC and all drivers for Lync will load automatically. (No Plantronics Spokes needed to interact with Lync. Plantronics Spokes merely adds more settings change ability, the above tray app and firmware update ability)

The Plantronics Spokes software is not needed for basic Lync usage but does add the above tray app, ability to change more settings and do firmware updates if available. The spokes software is something you will need to manually download and install. (Since the download was less that 1MB I was expecting a quick install…but it was not as quick as I expected.)

How big is the device?

How does it compare to the Jabra Speak 410 USB speaker phone in size?

Since the Calisto 620 is Bluetooth it can connect to your PC and Mobile phone at the same time---very nice!

My wrap up thoughts on the Plantronics Calisto 620

A very nice, portable, Bluetooth speaker device to come to the Lync eco-system (and beyond)

Ability to be connected to PC and mobile device at the same time is a benefit over a USB device.

In my informal tests the audio quality seemed better on a USB connected device vs. this Bluetooth device—(could be explained by wireless nature of Bluetooth?)

My thought is a battery level indicator at a glance might be good addition

The tone & volume of the volume change indicator is a bit loud and long for my tastes, but that is a small and personal opinion

The device can be charged via wall power or USB: wall charges unit in 1.5hr and USB takes 2.5 hr

I thought perhaps you could use the device as a USB device when plugged into PC via USB, but that is not the case (and not important, just a curiosity issue)

I was testing the UC capabilities of the Surface RT and loaded and logged into the Surface Skype app. I was greeted with a message “Merge Your Accounts” (skype and Live Messenger). After this one-click process…Skype to Microsoft Lync 2010/2013 seems to be enabled!

The federation is only IM and presence, but a great start. Below you see Skype for Surface RT running on the left and Lync 2010 running and receiving an IM on the left.

Skype showing Lync 2010 contact presence in the Surface RT Skype app. Note that presence is merely available and invisible.

If you have any more tips using this new federation capability, please post comment.

Will a communication device similar to Surface RT or iPad one day take the place on your desk where your phone is currently sitting? Not only providing voice but every other mode of communication like presence, IM, Desktop sharing, meeting and video?

The new Lync 2013 Windows Store App is considerably different than the Lync 2013 PC App as it is a Windows8/Metro/Modern/What-ever-we-are-supposed-to-call-it design, but shouldn’t take too long to acclimate to

USB Lync Optimized devices work as audio devices, but call control does not work. (CX300 and Jabra410 tested) For example: hangup/pickup buttons do not work.

Verified that this does not work on Windows 8 for PC either.

Navigation into Contacts screen seems sluggish. (this seems to be a Surface RT issue as Lync for PC is much

A very small item, but there are no emoticons available when you are using the Touch or Type keyboard. (perhaps a bit of a Surface design issue as there are emoticons built into the onscreen keyboard—but since the onscreen keyboard is not there when using the Touch or Type keyboard they are missing)

Below is the main Lync 2013 Windows Store App running on Surface RT:

My Lync 2013 Windows Store App Overview Video

UC/Communications

The built in mic provides excellent audio using the Lync 2013 Windows Store App

a colleague I called kept asking “you are just using the built-in Surface mic?” ;-)

the Surface RT is not Lync Optimized at this time.

Cameras, both front and rear, have a white round LED to let you know when you are on cam. (nice)

Front facing Camera is angled to be used with kick stand up.

Note: Unlike a laptop that you can easily change the angle of the cam, with the surface you either need to accept the kickstand angle given (which is good) or hold or prop it with something.

Thoughts on Surface RT in General

The Surface “content consumer” to “productivity” conversion is impressive in my opinion: just “slap” on the magnetic keyboard and open Office 2013.

The kickstand lives up to its well engineered hype—it is excellent fit, finish and operation

has a short power cord (in fairness, you should not have to plug it in throughout day)

Magnet power cord connector does not "pop" off because of edges, negating some of the “magnetic coolness” factor

my fingers seem to slip off the little grips to open the kick stand. (perhaps just me?)

After being a Windows Phone user I personally miss the “Back” button.

I’m very impressed with the Touch Cover, it takes very little getting used to

One surprise about the cover is that the touch pad has left and right click buttons

The bottom of the keyboard is a grey, soft fabric and sets on a desk nicely.

Does the Surface with Touch Keyboard work on your lap?

I found that it works okay on your lap (for chair only conference session scenarios)

The keyboard is not rigid so it tends to flex on your lap and also remember the weight is in the screen (opposite of a laptop)

I’ve tested several USB devices with Surface RT with below results

USB thumb drives seem to work just fine

USB Microsoft Wireless Mouse 3000 works just fine

As noted earlier, Lync audio devices work as a Mic/Speaker, but not for Lync call control (hangup/pickup)’

If you are planning to use your Surface RT with a printer, make sure the printer is supported on ARM/Surface RT platform---printer compatibility is limited.

Which HP printers work with Windows 8 RT seems to be a guarded secret. Below is an URL which seems to list which ones work:

“With the 2013 versions of Exchange Server, Lync Server and SharePoint Server, we are consolidating the right for External Users to access the server under the server license assigned to the server on which the software runs.” Source: http://linkd.in/UpT8pk

snom’s short foray into the software IP PBX market is coming to an end: the snom ONE IP PBX will be sold to Vodia Network Inc., according to snom COO, Michael Knieling. snom notes that they want to focus on end points and partnering with IP PBX and unified communication vendors as a strategy of growth moving forward.

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About Me

Matthew M. Landis has various industry certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Office Certified Expert, Microsoft Certified Dynamics, Network+ and A+.
In 1995 Matt started Landis Computer which has been providing IT services to small businesses for 14 years and is now a 11 person Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Matt has over 14 years of field experience implementing Windows Server, Microsoft & Dynamics ERP solutions in small business environments.
Matt is very active in the Windows based IP PBX community: He was a 3CX Valued Professional from 2008-2010 and has co-authored a book on Windows communication software "3CX IP PBX Tutorial". He is pbxnsip Certified, he has contributed thousands of posts to the 3CX community forum and he writes the monthly Windows PBX Report e-newsletter for VARS and administrators. His company, Landis Computer, was the first company in the USA to be designated a 3CX Premium Partner.
When not working and when a chance affords Matt likes to travel internationally with his wife Rosalyn and is very involved in his church.